In today’s society, finding initiatives that helps people to spend less time sat down in front of the TV and more time out and about can be challenging. A good way to break down those barriers is to provide safe and interesting areas for long walks through the heart of the countryside. Bristol has teamed up with Bath to create the Bristol Railway Path, which is a walk way away from any vehicles created solely for the walker to flex their muscles.

The Bristol and Bath railway path was constructed on top of an abandoned railway from the former Midlands Railway, which was closed down in the 1960s. By the 1980s, the railway line was built over to create a path that stretched from Bristol to Bath. It stretches a staggering 15 miles and has a number of points of interest along the path due to the number of ex stations that were present there. Today, only a few of the stations are still part of the path, these include Mangotsfield and Greens Park Bath.

The path is now part of the national cycle network cycle route and has become popular not just with people from Bristol but also keen cyclist that are willing to test their metal on the lengthy course. That being said it is not only sporting enthusiast that grace the tarmac of the path, there are also a large number people who have a keen interest in the history of the british railway system that take to the path to stop at many of the places that once situated a station.

As part of the path, the Avon Frome Partnership, have placed a number of placemats with interesting facts about the history of the path and how it was a major part of the Bristol economy before the Great Western Railway took over as the main means to travel further afield.

So, if you ever feel like having a brisk walk on a railway that has an deep history that is entrenched in the Bristol local economy, take some time to visit the Bristol railway path - you will not be disappointed. Find out more on Bristol